HELP! Im using Windows XP. When I opened my desktop yesterday,

Customer Question

HELP!

I'm using Windows XP. When I opened my desktop yesterday, no desktop icon appeared and there was also no START bar/menu - I got was a plain blank black screen with only the mouse pointer whichresponds as I move the mouse.

Although the mouse responds with movement, I CANNOT get the options "Active Desktop, Arrange Icons, Refresh, Properties, etc" that usually appear when you do a right-click on the desktop.

I am able to launch Task Manager when doing a Ctrl+Alt+Del and from here I can launch applications when clicking the "New Task" button. I've tried opening the usual applications that I use and was able to open them so im not sure what the problem is since I can open applications via this route.

I've tried rebooting and starting countless times but same problem. NO icons, no Start bar, etc.

Try to run COMBOFIX and it will take about 5 minutes to complete tops. The Microsoft Level 2 Techs use this and nothing gets past it. This is a FREE scan and it does not install anything on your computer, it runs from the command prompt!

Also to be cheecky can I pick your brains - what's your opinion on the programme recure? I spent £40 on it this morning in an attempt to resolve the problem (which it didn't!) but it after running it it did say it "fixed" 1007 problems on my PC - is it ligit of should I get my money back? The licence is for a year

Do a SCAN ONLY, and then locate ROX, or Roxio, or Sonic, and if you see anything like this, put a check it the box, and when your done, click on Fix Checked. After this, restart your computer again and it should be ok...

1) Click the + sign for HKEY_CURRENT_USER
2) Click the + sign for Software
3) Click the + sign for Microsoft
4) Click the + sign for Windows
5) Click the + sign for CurrentVersion
6) Click the folder RUN

Now, right-click and delete everything on the right-hand side (except default). After that, scroll back to the top and make HKEY_CURRENT_USER a - to a + again to bring it back up....

Now, do this...

1) Click the + sign for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
2) Click the + sign for Software
3) Click the + sign for Microsoft
4) Click the + sign for Windows
5) Click the + sign for CurrentVersion
6) Click on the folder RUN (not the + sign)

Now, right-click and delete everything on the right-hand side (except default, and if you see your anti-virus program listed there, leave it as well). After that, scroll back to the top and make HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE a - to a + again to bring it back up....

Close everything out, restart your computer, and this time is should be ok and maybe a bit faster. We just deleted everything that is ONLY starting up with windows. There are not neccessary to have except for your anti-virus software....

Did the 1st part, shut down and restarted and it was still there (arrrr) Just saw the second part of your email - have gone to the softpedia link to uninstall the only problem is that the roxio application isn't coming up in the applications list - any suggestions??

Download and Run It, when you run it, it will tell you all the processes that is running in the background, please again look for Roxio or Sonic, or Roxwatch9, if you see it do this, right-click on it, go to properties, and see where it is located and post me the info here.

My Expert answered my question promptly and he resolved the issue totally. This is a great service. I am so glad I found it I will definitely use the service again if needed.One Happy CustomerNew York

I am very happy with my very fast response. Eric is very knowledgeable in the subject area. Thank you! RPAustin, TX

Hi John, Thank you for your expertise and, more important, for your kindness because they make me, almost, look forward to my next computer problem. After the next problem comes, I'll be delighted to correspond again with you. I'm told that I excel at programing. But system administration has never been one of my talents. So it's great to have an expert to rely on when the computer decides to stump me. God bless, BillBill M.Schenectady, New York

The Expert answered my Mac question and was patient. He answered in a thorough and timely manner, keeping the response on a level that could understand. Thank you! FrankCanada

Ask a Tech Support Specialist

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

56 Tech Support Specialists are Online Now

Type Your Computer Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.